Expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates at record low levels lifted the markets during the midday with the Dow soaring 101 points to 17,731. Nasdaq added 8 points to 5,097.
On the upside
Second quarter earnings and revenue more than doubled for Natural Health Trends (Nasdaq: NHTC) and the company announced plans to repurchase up to $15 million in common shares.
Raymond James upgraded YRC Worldwide (Nasdaq: YRCW) from a Market Perform rating to a Strong Buy rating.
Zacks Equity Research identified ITT Educational Services (NYSE: ESI) as a value stock.
On the downside
Vasco Data Security (Nasdaq: VDSI) reported sharply higher second quarter earnings and revenue but the company forecast full year revenue that missed expectations.
Second quarter earnings and revenue fell short of expectations for Starz (Nasdaq: STRZA).
Shares of GrubHub (NYSE: GRUB) continued falling.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of nearly 7 to 3 on the NYSE and by more than 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 10 points to 2103. Bitcoin slipped $3 to $286.
Rate expectations boost markets
July 29, 2015 at 14:34 PM EDT